impact of technology on politics essay introduction body and conclusion

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The impact of technology on politics essay sample, example.

Article Info:

Housley, Sharon. Impact of Technology on Politics. FeedForAll, 2012.

The continued growth of technology has had a significant impact on the political ratings that candidates achieve. The article Impact of Technology on Politics attempts to analyze how these two spheres of modern life, technology and politics, interrelate and what the outcomes are of this interrelationship.

Political candidates use technology in many ways. Different communication channels provided by the Internet have the power to influence the growth of different individuals in their respective spheres. The likes of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are powerful communication media platforms that can easily raise the ratings of political candidates. Housley claims that whether we acknowledge it or not, technology is a deciding factor in most political races. Through technology, politicians are able to access funds, gain political pundits, and spend less on campaigning and pushing their candidacy.

The Technological Impact in Action

One of the ways in which technology influences politics is the financial side. Raising funds to use for campaigning is an important factor for political candidates. It comes with the need to create a vertical response to the whole country or target region. This is a major hurdle experienced by political candidates. The Internet aided Howard Dean to get donations that he required to gain access to a large part of the campaign region. By broadcasting through technological marketing, candidates get suitable donors to support different parts of their campaigns. Publicity on the Internet is a cheap method, as they do not have to re-publish, unlike what is provided by the print media. This is placed in various commonly-accessed links (Housley, Par. 1).

The Internet enables politicians to use podcasting. The act of podcasting can make anyone a journalist. Through podcasting, politicians are able to portray a journalistic stature, thereby ensuring that the information is considered credible. Self-proclamation of politicians through pundits is easily spread through messages. It is, however, difficult for politicians to guarantee the integrity of the information posted. The Internet can be accessed by anyone and podcasts can be posted by anyone. The integrity of information is therefore difficult to preserve, hence, many potential candidates may have to establish a verifiable connection with various achievements. All in all, gaining political publicity through podcasts is a common but expensive method to use, Housley admits. However, it is logical to assume that when correctly utilized, this is an extremely powerful political tool that pays off completely.

According to Housley, the impact of technology is great on a given generation. The young, educated, and affluent will relate to technological innovations. A proper presentation will gain ratings for candidates. Using the most recent technology will surely attract the youth. The older generation may not impact the raising of presidential bids, especially if they are done through social media. The older generation uses the Internet much less. The younger generation relates easily to these media platforms. This differentiation is used by politicians to gain advantage in their political bids. Politicians use technology to raise their bids among the youth, while traditional methods are used for the older generation.

Another way to look at the matter is in relation to thinking about the Internet as a tool for free advertising. It is no secret that presidential bids are the most expensive, as they are run to cover the whole region. On the other hand, political videos easily generate online rating gains, and such political Internet advertisement will reach the target audience if launched properly. Individuals perform the needed publicity as each person shares the video, and so on. The extra generated videos are not paid for, while on social networks even the original posting is free.

It is clear that gaining political publicity through the use of technology has become easier, especially since technological devices are so accessible and widespread. The article analyzed is prudent in arranging technological tools into separate groups that work as a effective means of communicating between a political figure and the target audience. However, with the use of the Internet, any political figure can become recognizable within just a few minutes. In only a few hours, public opinion on a particular political figure is already formed within one of the social groups of voters. Not just the good, but also a bad reputation can be formed in a blink of an eye using modern technology. It often happens that the bad “gossip” spreads much faster. With the huge impact that technology has on societies and public opinion in particular, it is crucial to be cautious in the use of information about any political figure, or you risk making a positive advertisement into a negative advertisement with just one click.

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Regions & Countries

3. publics think technology impacts the political environment in both positive and negative ways.

Beyond their views of the personal impact of various technologies, publics in these countries are divided over how the internet in general has impacted politics in their societies. An 11-country median of 44% say the increasing use of the internet has had a good impact on politics, but 28% feel that impact has been largely bad – and this balance of opinion is most negative in Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon.

Adults in these countries also feel access to technology has had a variety of both positive and negative impacts on their fellow citizens. On the positive side of the ledger, a median of 78% say access to the internet, mobile phones and social media has made people more informed about current events. And when asked about the impact of social media on the broader political process, majorities in nine of these 11 countries say they have increased the ability for ordinary citizens to take part in the political process.

At the same time, an 11-country median of 72% say these technologies have made people easier to manipulate with rumors and false information. And majorities in eight countries say social media have increased the risk that citizens might be manipulated by domestic politicians.

Mixed attitudes about the internet’s overall impact on politics

Adults in these countries also make little distinction between the impact of the internet and mobile phones when it comes to politics. Nearly identical shares say the internet and mobile phones have had a good, bad or negligible impact on politics.

People who themselves use the internet are somewhat more upbeat than non-users about its effect on politics. 9 And in most of these countries there are only modest to nonexistent differences in attitudes between older and younger adults. But those who describe social media as a very important source of political news for them, personally, are more likely to say the internet has had a good impact on politics relative to those who say social media are less important, or to those who do not use social media at all.

In addition to having a comparably negative balance of sentiment relative to the other countries in this survey, publics in these three countries have also turned somewhat less upbeat in recent years in their assessments of the internet’s impact on politics. From 2014 to 2018, the share of adults in these countries saying the internet has had a good influence on politics has declined by 11 percentage points in Jordan, 9 points in Lebanon and 6 points in Tunisia. By contrast, sentiment in the other seven countries for which trends are available either grew more positive or stayed largely the same over that time. This positive shift has been most pronounced in Mexico, South Africa and Venezuela.

Many think technology has made people better informed – but also easier to manipulate

When asked about the impact of mobile phones, the internet and social media on various political behaviors and attitudes, people in these nations tend to express seemingly dual views of how technology has brought “more” to society: that it has made people more informed, yet more manipulatable; more divided, yet sometimes more accepting of others.

At one level, publics in these countries believe that technology simultaneously makes people more informed and more gullible. Majorities in every country – and an 11-country median of 78% – say access to technology has made people more informed about current events. At the same time, majorities in every country except for Vietnam – and an 11-country median of 72% – say technology has made it easier to manipulate people with false information and rumors.

We become numb to the news, like the presidential campaigns in Mexico. A term ago, we were struggling to get more political awareness, and now everything is made a meme and laughed at. It defeats the purpose of the internet. MAN, 28, MEXICO

The survey highlights similar tensions over whether these technologies make people more divided or more accepting of others. A median of 58% say access to mobile phones, the internet and social media has made people more divided in their political opinions. At the same time, a median of 52% say these technologies have made people more accepting of those who have different views than they do. And a median of 55% say they have generally made people more willing to engage in political debates.

These positive and negative views of technology’s impact on political attitudes are often related. In 10 of the 11 countries surveyed, those who believe technology has made people more informed are more likely than others to say technology has also made people easier to manipulate.

Similarly, in most countries those who say technology has made people more accepting of diverse viewpoints are simultaneously more likely to say it has made people more divided in their political opinions.

Through our mobile phones, since there is that social media, it has really led to the spread of hatred and tribalism amongst ourselves. MAN, 38, KENYA

These same costs and benefits are visible when it comes to technology’s impact on political news and discussion. For instance, people in these countries overwhelmingly feel mobile phones have improved people’s ability to obtain news. Yet an 11-country median of 64% say people should be very concerned about exposure to false information when using their mobile devices.

People in some countries stand out for their views on the influence of technology on politics

Especially large shares of Jordanians feel technology has made people more receptive to most of the political impacts measured in the survey, and this is especially true of the notion that technology makes people more informed but also easier to manipulate. Around nine-in-ten Jordanians say access to mobile phones, the internet and social media has made people more informed about current events, but a similar share says this access makes them more vulnerable to being manipulated with rumors and false information. And roughly three-quarters of Jordanians say technology has made people more divided in their political opinions, but also more willing to engage in political debates.

By contrast, Vietnamese adults are relatively likely to say access to these technologies hasn’t changed much compared with those in the other countries surveyed. One-third or more Vietnamese say these technologies haven’t had much impact on people’s willingness to engage in political debates (33%), how divided they are in their political opinions (35%) or how accepting they are of those with different views (35%), while 26% say they haven’t had much impact on how easy people are to manipulate. In each instance, these represent the largest shares among the 11 countries surveyed.

Meanwhile, Mexicans stand out for their assessment of the impact of technologies on people’s tolerance of different viewpoints. Some 35% of Mexicans say technology has made people more accepting of people who have different views than they do, but a nearly identical share (36%) says technology has had a negative impact in this regard. Younger Mexicans are especially likely to say technologies have made people less tolerant to people who hold different views: 41% hold this view, compared with 30% of Mexicans ages 50 and older.

Social media users, those affiliated with a political party and the more educated are more likely to see both positive and negative political impacts of digital technologies

For example, social media users are more likely than non-users to say technology has made people more informed about current events in all 11 countries surveyed; more accepting of people with different views in eight countries; and more willing to engage in political debates in nine countries. 10 At the same time, in nine countries a larger share of users say technology is making people more divided in their political opinions – and in 10 countries a larger share of social media users say technology is making people easier to mislead with misinformation (see Appendix C for detailed tables).

These attitudes also vary by education level. 11 Across all 11 countries, adults with a secondary education or higher are more likely to say technology has made people more informed about current events relative to those who do not have a secondary education. And in nine countries, adults with higher levels of educational attainment are more inclined to say technology has made people more subject to false information and rumors.

Meanwhile, adults with higher levels of educational attainment are more likely to say technology has contributed to both political divisions and tolerance of opposing viewpoints in seven of these countries (Colombia, India, Kenya, Lebanon, the Philippines, Tunisia and Vietnam).

Lastly, social media users’ assessments of the impact of technology on political attitudes are somewhat related to whether they view social media as an important news source. In seven out of the 11 countries, those who say social media are a very important news source for them to get political news and information are more likely than users who do not think social media are as important to say technology has made people more informed about news and current events.

Social media seen to confer benefits – but also risks – on the overall political process

When asked about different impacts social media have had on their country’s political process, publics in these countries are more likely than not to say social media offer new avenues for political engagement. A median of 57% – and majorities in every country except for Vietnam and India – say social media have increased the ability for ordinary people in their country to have a meaningful voice in the political process. And a median of 53% say these platforms have increased the ability of nongovernmental organizations to promote their causes.

But these perceived benefits from social media are matched with perceived costs. An 11-country median of 65% say social media have increased the risk that people in their country might be manipulated by domestic politicians. And when asked whether these platforms might facilitate foreign interference in their country’s elections, a median of 55% say these platforms have indeed increased this risk – although a median of 27% feel they have not had much effect either way.

Now it is much easier for our countrymen to know about the plans of our government for our OFW [Overseas Filipino Workers]. WOMAN, 48, PHILIPPINES

Among those who use social media, there are only minimal differences between the views of younger (ages 18 to 29) and older adults (those ages 50+) on these questions. However, there are some differences based on how extensively people rely on these platforms for information. In most countries, those who say social media are a very important news source are more likely to say these platforms have increased ordinary people’s ability to have a meaningful voice in politics, and that they have helped nongovernmental groups to promote their causes. At the same time, in seven countries this group is also more likely to say these platforms have increased the risk of people being manipulated by domestic politicians, compared with users who do not see social media as a very important source of information.

In several countries, sizable shares say they do not know how these platforms have impacted the broader political system

These questions were asked of all adults – regardless of whether they themselves use social media platforms or not. And in several of these countries, sizable shares of those who do not use any social media platforms are unable to offer an opinion on how social media have impacted these aspects of the political process. This is especially true in Jordan, Lebanon, India and Vietnam. Among people in these countries who do not use social media, as many as 21% of Vietnamese, 34% of Jordanians, 41% of Lebanese and 51% of Indians either do not know the answer to these individual questions or refused to offer a guess.

Similarly, demographic groups who use social media at low rates (such as older adults or those with lower levels of education) are often more likely to say they do not know how social media have impacted these elements of the political process.

• In India, Jordan, Lebanon and South Africa, non-internet users are less likely to offer a response. ↩
• Social media platform and messaging app users include those who say they use one or more of the seven specific online platforms asked about on the survey: Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Viber, Instagram, Snapchat and Tinder. Overall, a median of 64% use at least one of these platforms across these 11 countries. ↩
• For the purpose of comparing education groups across countries, we standardize education levels based on the United Nations’ International Standard Classification of Education. In all nations surveyed, the lower education category is below secondary education and the higher category is secondary or above. ↩
• This analysis excludes Vietnam, which has a single-party system, and Jordan, where fewer than 100 people said they had a partisan identification. ↩
• In some countries, non-social media users, those with lower levels of education or those who have no partisan affiliation are less likely to offer a response. ↩

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Report Materials

Table of contents, key findings about voter engagement in the 2020 election, what makes a good citizen voting, paying taxes, following the law top list, misinformation and fears about its impact are pervasive in 11 emerging economies, publics in emerging economies worry social media sow division, even as they offer new chances for political engagement, in some countries, many use the internet without realizing it, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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Impact of Technology in Politics: The Internet and Democracy

Published: July 15, 2022 by Daryn Kara Ali

Reading Time: 3 min

The potential effects of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) on democratic processes have resulted from the exponential growth of the Internet. Taking into consideration the complexities of democratic administration and the historical ramifications of the digital era, the debate’s scope concerning the impact of technology in politics is astonishing.

What is the Impact of Technology on Politics?

Let us portray a vivid image of what the future might look like, taking into consideration the present’s technological advancement in relation to democratic politics . In the past couple of years, the global political landscape has structured an illusional conceptualization that the only direction for technological development in politics is an upward one. Yet, one thing the Capitol riot proved to us is that this idea is extensively misleading. The relation between technological development and democratic politics is not always corroborative and valuable.

The impact of technology in politics is bringing new political manipulation for authoritarian figures to control the public’s opinion in certain aspects. The manipulation of information absorbed by the public, the endless monitorization of opponents to drive ulterior geopolitical motives, and the never-ending censoring of information have altered popular culture in its fusion with the political one.

At a time when technology can be used to breed constructive political change, politicians are abusing the endless offerings of innovation to guarantee political growth. Yet the main question remains, what is the impact of technology on politics? And does it generate any significant political change?

In that aspect, innovative technology and emerging means of communication indeed hold some kind of responsibility regarding how politicians abuse it. The fact that technology has become worldly accessible opens the way for its accessibility to whoever wants to use it for ulterior motives.

New strategies are emerging to deal with the intense technological adoption with various parties using and abusing the endless possibilities of the digital age. It was an inevitable age to rise, and with it came the inevitability of it being used for political motives and endeavors.

Just as there are people who think the impact of technology in politics is a positive one, others differ in opinion. The public’s view is contradictory in that aspect, with some believing that countries and authoritarian figures with access to advanced technologies are weaponized with the needed tools to influence citizens negatively. Internet access to the whole world has made it easier for political parties to impact the public’s perspective with falsified rumors and information. And this is mostly doable because of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more.

Importance of Technology

The continuous development of technology has had a remarkable impact on politicians’ triumphs, especially their role in influencing economic growth. Digital tools carry the knowledge to ease economic growth through innovative ways of production. While political candidates can use technology in different ways to influence the development of public opinion, social media platforms, specifically, can carry the whole weight of persuading people, which in its own form can increase the rating of political candidates.

Whether the world is willing to acknowledge this or not, the impact of technology in politics, specifically the internet, is deemed the most powerful tool for political races. By adopting technological means, politicians have the tools to fund their campaigns, obtain political scholars, and further promote them without paying for advertisement, as everything can happen via social media platforms.

One of technology’s most influential effects on politics is the financial aspect, as it helps federal candidates allocate funds during any election. The internet is an integral element in garnering funds through advertisement via technological shopping, as well as paving the way for applicants to gather proper donors to endorse numerous features within their operations.

Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our  Impact  space to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.

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Introductory essay

Written by the educators who created Cyber-Influence and Power, a brief look at the key facts, tough questions and big ideas in their field. Begin this TED Study with a fascinating read that gives context and clarity to the material.

Each and every one of us has a vital part to play in building the kind of world in which government and technology serve the world’s people and not the other way around. Rebecca MacKinnon

Over the past 20 years, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have transformed the globe, facilitating the international economic, political, and cultural connections and exchanges that are at the heart of contemporary globalization processes. The term ICT is broad in scope, encompassing both the technological infrastructure and products that facilitate the collection, storage, manipulation, and distribution of information in a variety of formats.

While there are many definitions of globalization, most would agree that the term refers to a variety of complex social processes that facilitate worldwide economic, cultural, and political connections and exchanges. The kinds of global connections ICTs give rise to mark a dramatic departure from the face-to-face, time and place dependent interactions that characterized communication throughout most of human history. ICTs have extended human interaction and increased our interconnectedness, making it possible for geographically dispersed people not only to share information at an ever-faster rate but also to organize and to take action in response to events occurring in places far from where they are physically situated.

While these complex webs of connections can facilitate positive collective action, they can also put us at risk. As TED speaker Ian Goldin observes, the complexity of our global connections creates a built-in fragility: What happens in one part of the world can very quickly affect everyone, everywhere.

The proliferation of ICTs and the new webs of social connections they engender have had profound political implications for governments, citizens, and non-state actors alike. Each of the TEDTalks featured in this course explore some of these implications, highlighting the connections and tensions between technology and politics. Some speakers focus primarily on how anti-authoritarian protesters use technology to convene and organize supporters, while others expose how authoritarian governments use technology to manipulate and control individuals and groups. When viewed together as a unit, the contrasting voices reveal that technology is a contested site through which political power is both exercised and resisted.

Technology as liberator

The liberating potential of technology is a powerful theme taken up by several TED speakers in Cyber-Influence and Power . Journalist and Global Voices co-founder Rebecca MacKinnon, for example, begins her talk by playing the famous Orwell-inspired Apple advertisement from 1984. Apple created the ad to introduce Macintosh computers, but MacKinnon describes Apple's underlying narrative as follows: "technology created by innovative companies will set us all free." While MacKinnon examines this narrative with a critical eye, other TED speakers focus on the ways that ICTs can and do function positively as tools of social change, enabling citizens to challenge oppressive governments.

In a 2011 CNN interview, Egyptian protest leader, Google executive, and TED speaker Wael Ghonim claimed "if you want to free a society, just give them internet access. The young crowds are going to all go out and see and hear the unbiased media, see the truth about other nations and their own nation, and they are going to be able to communicate and collaborate together." (i). In this framework, the opportunities for global information sharing, borderless communication, and collaboration that ICTs make possible encourage the spread of democracy. As Ghonim argues, when citizens go online, they are likely to discover that their particular government's perspective is only one among many. Activists like Ghonim maintain that exposure to this online free exchange of ideas will make people less likely to accept government propaganda and more likely to challenge oppressive regimes.

A case in point is the controversy that erupted around Khaled Said, a young Egyptian man who died after being arrested by Egyptian police. The police claimed that Said suffocated when he attempted to swallow a bag of hashish; witnesses, however, reported that he was beaten to death by the police. Stories about the beating and photos of Said's disfigured body circulated widely in online communities, and Ghonim's Facebook group, titled "We are all Khaled Said," is widely credited with bringing attention to Said's death and fomenting the discontent that ultimately erupted in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, or what Ghonim refers to as "revolution 2.0."

Ghonim's Facebook group also illustrates how ICTs enable citizens to produce and broadcast information themselves. Many people already take for granted the ability to capture images and video via handheld devices and then upload that footage to platforms like YouTube. As TED speaker Clay Shirky points out, our ability to produce and widely distribute information constitutes a revolutionary change in media production and consumption patterns. The production of media has typically been very expensive and thus out of reach for most individuals; the average person was therefore primarily a consumer of media, reading books, listening to the radio, watching TV, going to movies, etc. Very few could independently publish their own books or create and distribute their own radio programs, television shows, or movies. ICTs have disrupted this configuration, putting media production in the hands of individual amateurs on a budget — or what Shirky refers to as members of "the former audience" — alongside the professionals backed by multi-billion dollar corporations. This "democratization of media" allows individuals to create massive amounts of information in a variety of formats and to distribute it almost instantly to a potentially global audience.

Shirky is especially interested in the Internet as "the first medium in history that has native support for groups and conversations at the same time." This shift has important political implications. For example, in 2008 many Obama followers used Obama's own social networking site to express their unhappiness when the presidential candidate changed his position on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The outcry of his supporters did not force Obama to revert to his original position, but it did help him realize that he needed to address his supporters directly, acknowledging their disagreement on the issue and explaining his position. Shirky observes that this scenario was also notable because the Obama organization realized that "their role was to convene their supporters but not to control their supporters." This tension between the use of technology in the service of the democratic impulse to convene citizens vs. the authoritarian impulse to control them runs throughout many of the TEDTalks in Cyber-Influence and Power.

A number of TED speakers explicitly examine the ways that ICTs give individual citizens the ability to document governmental abuses they witness and to upload this information to the Internet for a global audience. Thus, ICTs can empower citizens by giving them tools that can help keep their governments accountable. The former head of Al Jazeera and TED speaker Wadah Khanfar provides some very clear examples of the political power of technology in the hands of citizens. He describes how the revolution in Tunisia was delivered to the world via cell phones, cameras, and social media outlets, with the mainstream media relying on "citizen reporters" for details.

Former British prime minister Gordon Brown's TEDTalk also highlights some of the ways citizens have used ICTs to keep their governments accountable. For example, Brown recounts how citizens in Zimbabwe used the cameras on their phones at polling places in order to discourage the Mugabe regime from engaging in electoral fraud. Similarly, Clay Shirky begins his TEDTalk with a discussion of how cameras on phones were used to combat voter suppression in the 2008 presidential election in the U.S. ICTs allowed citizens to be protectors of the democratic process, casting their individual votes but also, as Shirky observes, helping to "ensure the sanctity of the vote overall."

Technology as oppressor

While smart phones and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have arguably facilitated the overthrow of dictatorships in places like Tunisia and Egypt, lending credence to Gordon Brown's vision of technology as an engine of liberalism and pluralism, not everyone shares this view. As TED speaker and former religious extremist Maajid Nawaz points out, there is nothing inherently liberating about ICTs, given that they frequently are deployed to great effect by extremist organizations seeking social changes that are often inconsistent with democracy and human rights. Where once individual extremists might have felt isolated and alone, disconnected from like-minded people and thus unable to act in concert with others to pursue their agendas, ICTs allow them to connect with other extremists and to form communities around their ideas, narratives, and symbols.

Ian Goldin shares this concern, warning listeners about what he calls the "two Achilles heels of globalization": growing inequality and the fragility that is inherent in a complex integrated system. He points out that those who do not experience the benefits of globalization, who feel like they've been left out in one way or another, can potentially become incredibly dangerous. In a world where what happens in one place very quickly affects everyone else — and where technologies are getting ever smaller and more powerful — a single angry individual with access to technological resources has the potential to do more damage than ever before. The question becomes then, how do we manage the systemic risk inherent in today's technology-infused globalized world? According to Goldin, our current governance structures are "fossilized" and ill-equipped to deal with these issues.

Other critics of the notion that ICTs are inherently liberating point out that ICTs have been leveraged effectively by oppressive governments to solidify their own power and to manipulate, spy upon, and censor their citizens. Journalist and TED speaker Evgeny Morozov expresses scepticism about what he calls "iPod liberalism," or the belief that technology will necessarily lead to the fall of dictatorships and the emergence of democratic governments. Morozov uses the term "spinternet" to describe authoritarian governments' use of the Internet to provide their own "spin" on issues and events. Russia, China, and Iran, he argues, have all trained and paid bloggers to promote their ideological agendas in the online environment and/or or to attack people writing posts the government doesn't like in an effort to discredit them as spies or criminals who should not be trusted.

Morozov also points out that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are tools not only of revolutionaries but also of authoritarian governments who use them to gather open-source intelligence. "In the past," Morozov maintains, "it would take you weeks, if not months, to identify how Iranian activists connect to each other. Now you know how they connect to each other by looking at their Facebook page. KGB...used to torture in order to get this data." Instead of focusing primarily on bringing Internet access and devices to the people in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes, Morozov argues that we need to abandon our cyber-utopian assumptions and do more to actually empower intellectuals, dissidents, NGOs and other members of society, making sure that the "spinternet" does not prevent their voices from being heard.

The ICT Empowered Individual vs. The Nation State

In her TEDTalk "Let's Take Back the Internet," Rebecca MacKinnon argues that "the only legitimate purpose of government is to serve citizens, and…the only legitimate purpose of technology is to improve our lives, not to manipulate or enslave us." It is clearly not a given, however, that governments, organizations, and individuals will use technology benevolently. Part of the responsibility of citizenship in the globalized information age then is to work to ensure that both governments and technologies "serve the world's peoples." However, there is considerable disagreement about what that might look like.

WikiLeaks spokesperson and TED speaker Julian Assange, for example, argues that government secrecy is inconsistent with democratic values and is ultimately about deceiving and manipulating rather than serving the world's people. Others maintain that governments need to be able to keep secrets about some topics in order to protect their citizens or to act effectively in response to crises, oppressive regimes, terrorist organizations, etc. While some view Assange's use of technology as a way to hold governments accountable and to increase transparency, others see this use of technology as a criminal act with the potential to both undermine stable democracies and put innocent lives in danger.

ICTs and global citizenship

While there are no easy answers to the global political questions raised by the proliferation of ICTs, there are relatively new approaches to the questions that look promising, including the emergence of individuals who see themselves as global citizens — people who participate in a global civil society that transcends national boundaries. Technology facilitates global citizens' ability to learn about global issues, to connect with others who care about similar issues, and to organize and act meaningfully in response. However, global citizens are also aware that technology in and of itself is no panacea, and that it can be used to manipulate and oppress.

Global citizens fight against oppressive uses of technology, often with technology. Technology helps them not only to participate in global conversations that affect us all but also to amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized or altogether missing from such conversations. Moreover, global citizens are those who are willing to grapple with large and complex issues that are truly global in scope and who attempt to chart a course forward that benefits all people, regardless of their locations around the globe.

Gordon Brown implicitly alludes to the importance of global citizenship when he states that we need a global ethic of fairness and responsibility to inform global problem-solving. Human rights, disease, development, security, terrorism, climate change, and poverty are among the issues that cannot be addressed successfully by any one nation alone. Individual actors (nation states, NGOs, etc.) can help, but a collective of actors, both state and non-state, is required. Brown suggests that we must combine the power of a global ethic with the power to communicate and organize globally in order for us to address effectively the world's most pressing issues.

Individuals and groups today are able to exert influence that is disproportionate to their numbers and the size of their arsenals through their use of "soft power" techniques, as TED speakers Joseph Nye and Shashi Tharoor observe. This is consistent with Maajid Nawaz's discussion of the power of symbols and narratives. Small groups can develop powerful narratives that help shape the views and actions of people around the world. While governments are far more accustomed to exerting power through military force, they might achieve their interests more effectively by implementing soft power strategies designed to convince others that they want the same things. According to Nye, replacing a "zero-sum" approach (you must lose in order for me to win) with a "positive-sum" one (we can both win) creates opportunities for collaboration, which is necessary if we are to begin to deal with problems that are global in scope.

Let's get started

Collectively, the TEDTalks in this course explore how ICTs are used by and against governments, citizens, activists, revolutionaries, extremists, and other political actors in efforts both to preserve and disrupt the status quo. They highlight the ways that ICTs have opened up new forms of communication and activism as well as how the much-hailed revolutionary power of ICTs can and has been co-opted by oppressive regimes to reassert their control.

By listening to the contrasting voices of this diverse group of TED speakers, which includes activists, journalists, professors, politicians, and a former member of an extremist organization, we can begin to develop a more nuanced understanding of the ways that technology can be used both to facilitate and contest a wide variety of political movements. Global citizens who champion democracy would do well to explore these intersections among politics and technology, as understanding these connections is a necessary first step toward MacKinnon's laudable goal of building a world in which "government and technology serve the world's people and not the other way around."

Let's begin our exploration of the intersections among politics and technology in today's globalized world with a TEDTalk from Ian Goldin, the first Director of the 21st Century School, Oxford University's think tank/research center. Goldin's talk will set the stage for us, exploring the integrated, complex, and technology rich global landscape upon which the political struggles for power examined by other TED speakers play out.

Navigating our global future

i. "Welcome to Revolution 2.0, Ghonim Says," CNN, February 9, 2011. http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/02/09/wael.ghonim.interview.cnn .

Relevant talks

Gordon Brown

Wiring a web for global good.

Clay Shirky

How social media can make history.

Wael Ghonim

Inside the egyptian revolution.

Wadah Khanfar

A historic moment in the arab world.

Evgeny Morozov

How the net aids dictatorships.

Maajid Nawaz

A global culture to fight extremism.

Rebecca MacKinnon

Let's take back the internet.

Julian Assange

Why the world needs wikileaks.

Global power shifts

Shashi Tharoor

Why nations should pursue soft power.

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Promises and Pitfalls of Technology

Politics and privacy, private-sector influence and big tech, state competition and conflict, author biography, how is technology changing the world, and how should the world change technology.

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Josephine Wolff; How Is Technology Changing the World, and How Should the World Change Technology?. Global Perspectives 1 February 2021; 2 (1): 27353. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2021.27353

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Technologies are becoming increasingly complicated and increasingly interconnected. Cars, airplanes, medical devices, financial transactions, and electricity systems all rely on more computer software than they ever have before, making them seem both harder to understand and, in some cases, harder to control. Government and corporate surveillance of individuals and information processing relies largely on digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and therefore involves less human-to-human contact than ever before and more opportunities for biases to be embedded and codified in our technological systems in ways we may not even be able to identify or recognize. Bioengineering advances are opening up new terrain for challenging philosophical, political, and economic questions regarding human-natural relations. Additionally, the management of these large and small devices and systems is increasingly done through the cloud, so that control over them is both very remote and removed from direct human or social control. The study of how to make technologies like artificial intelligence or the Internet of Things “explainable” has become its own area of research because it is so difficult to understand how they work or what is at fault when something goes wrong (Gunning and Aha 2019) .

This growing complexity makes it more difficult than ever—and more imperative than ever—for scholars to probe how technological advancements are altering life around the world in both positive and negative ways and what social, political, and legal tools are needed to help shape the development and design of technology in beneficial directions. This can seem like an impossible task in light of the rapid pace of technological change and the sense that its continued advancement is inevitable, but many countries around the world are only just beginning to take significant steps toward regulating computer technologies and are still in the process of radically rethinking the rules governing global data flows and exchange of technology across borders.

These are exciting times not just for technological development but also for technology policy—our technologies may be more advanced and complicated than ever but so, too, are our understandings of how they can best be leveraged, protected, and even constrained. The structures of technological systems as determined largely by government and institutional policies and those structures have tremendous implications for social organization and agency, ranging from open source, open systems that are highly distributed and decentralized, to those that are tightly controlled and closed, structured according to stricter and more hierarchical models. And just as our understanding of the governance of technology is developing in new and interesting ways, so, too, is our understanding of the social, cultural, environmental, and political dimensions of emerging technologies. We are realizing both the challenges and the importance of mapping out the full range of ways that technology is changing our society, what we want those changes to look like, and what tools we have to try to influence and guide those shifts.

Technology can be a source of tremendous optimism. It can help overcome some of the greatest challenges our society faces, including climate change, famine, and disease. For those who believe in the power of innovation and the promise of creative destruction to advance economic development and lead to better quality of life, technology is a vital economic driver (Schumpeter 1942) . But it can also be a tool of tremendous fear and oppression, embedding biases in automated decision-making processes and information-processing algorithms, exacerbating economic and social inequalities within and between countries to a staggering degree, or creating new weapons and avenues for attack unlike any we have had to face in the past. Scholars have even contended that the emergence of the term technology in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries marked a shift from viewing individual pieces of machinery as a means to achieving political and social progress to the more dangerous, or hazardous, view that larger-scale, more complex technological systems were a semiautonomous form of progress in and of themselves (Marx 2010) . More recently, technologists have sharply criticized what they view as a wave of new Luddites, people intent on slowing the development of technology and turning back the clock on innovation as a means of mitigating the societal impacts of technological change (Marlowe 1970) .

At the heart of fights over new technologies and their resulting global changes are often two conflicting visions of technology: a fundamentally optimistic one that believes humans use it as a tool to achieve greater goals, and a fundamentally pessimistic one that holds that technological systems have reached a point beyond our control. Technology philosophers have argued that neither of these views is wholly accurate and that a purely optimistic or pessimistic view of technology is insufficient to capture the nuances and complexity of our relationship to technology (Oberdiek and Tiles 1995) . Understanding technology and how we can make better decisions about designing, deploying, and refining it requires capturing that nuance and complexity through in-depth analysis of the impacts of different technological advancements and the ways they have played out in all their complicated and controversial messiness across the world.

These impacts are often unpredictable as technologies are adopted in new contexts and come to be used in ways that sometimes diverge significantly from the use cases envisioned by their designers. The internet, designed to help transmit information between computer networks, became a crucial vehicle for commerce, introducing unexpected avenues for crime and financial fraud. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, designed to connect friends and families through sharing photographs and life updates, became focal points of election controversies and political influence. Cryptocurrencies, originally intended as a means of decentralized digital cash, have become a significant environmental hazard as more and more computing resources are devoted to mining these forms of virtual money. One of the crucial challenges in this area is therefore recognizing, documenting, and even anticipating some of these unexpected consequences and providing mechanisms to technologists for how to think through the impacts of their work, as well as possible other paths to different outcomes (Verbeek 2006) . And just as technological innovations can cause unexpected harm, they can also bring about extraordinary benefits—new vaccines and medicines to address global pandemics and save thousands of lives, new sources of energy that can drastically reduce emissions and help combat climate change, new modes of education that can reach people who would otherwise have no access to schooling. Regulating technology therefore requires a careful balance of mitigating risks without overly restricting potentially beneficial innovations.

Nations around the world have taken very different approaches to governing emerging technologies and have adopted a range of different technologies themselves in pursuit of more modern governance structures and processes (Braman 2009) . In Europe, the precautionary principle has guided much more anticipatory regulation aimed at addressing the risks presented by technologies even before they are fully realized. For instance, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation focuses on the responsibilities of data controllers and processors to provide individuals with access to their data and information about how that data is being used not just as a means of addressing existing security and privacy threats, such as data breaches, but also to protect against future developments and uses of that data for artificial intelligence and automated decision-making purposes. In Germany, Technische Überwachungsvereine, or TÜVs, perform regular tests and inspections of technological systems to assess and minimize risks over time, as the tech landscape evolves. In the United States, by contrast, there is much greater reliance on litigation and liability regimes to address safety and security failings after-the-fact. These different approaches reflect not just the different legal and regulatory mechanisms and philosophies of different nations but also the different ways those nations prioritize rapid development of the technology industry versus safety, security, and individual control. Typically, governance innovations move much more slowly than technological innovations, and regulations can lag years, or even decades, behind the technologies they aim to govern.

In addition to this varied set of national regulatory approaches, a variety of international and nongovernmental organizations also contribute to the process of developing standards, rules, and norms for new technologies, including the International Organization for Standardization­ and the International Telecommunication Union. These multilateral and NGO actors play an especially important role in trying to define appropriate boundaries for the use of new technologies by governments as instruments of control for the state.

At the same time that policymakers are under scrutiny both for their decisions about how to regulate technology as well as their decisions about how and when to adopt technologies like facial recognition themselves, technology firms and designers have also come under increasing criticism. Growing recognition that the design of technologies can have far-reaching social and political implications means that there is more pressure on technologists to take into consideration the consequences of their decisions early on in the design process (Vincenti 1993; Winner 1980) . The question of how technologists should incorporate these social dimensions into their design and development processes is an old one, and debate on these issues dates back to the 1970s, but it remains an urgent and often overlooked part of the puzzle because so many of the supposedly systematic mechanisms for assessing the impacts of new technologies in both the private and public sectors are primarily bureaucratic, symbolic processes rather than carrying any real weight or influence.

Technologists are often ill-equipped or unwilling to respond to the sorts of social problems that their creations have—often unwittingly—exacerbated, and instead point to governments and lawmakers to address those problems (Zuckerberg 2019) . But governments often have few incentives to engage in this area. This is because setting clear standards and rules for an ever-evolving technological landscape can be extremely challenging, because enforcement of those rules can be a significant undertaking requiring considerable expertise, and because the tech sector is a major source of jobs and revenue for many countries that may fear losing those benefits if they constrain companies too much. This indicates not just a need for clearer incentives and better policies for both private- and public-sector entities but also a need for new mechanisms whereby the technology development and design process can be influenced and assessed by people with a wider range of experiences and expertise. If we want technologies to be designed with an eye to their impacts, who is responsible for predicting, measuring, and mitigating those impacts throughout the design process? Involving policymakers in that process in a more meaningful way will also require training them to have the analytic and technical capacity to more fully engage with technologists and understand more fully the implications of their decisions.

At the same time that tech companies seem unwilling or unable to rein in their creations, many also fear they wield too much power, in some cases all but replacing governments and international organizations in their ability to make decisions that affect millions of people worldwide and control access to information, platforms, and audiences (Kilovaty 2020) . Regulators around the world have begun considering whether some of these companies have become so powerful that they violate the tenets of antitrust laws, but it can be difficult for governments to identify exactly what those violations are, especially in the context of an industry where the largest players often provide their customers with free services. And the platforms and services developed by tech companies are often wielded most powerfully and dangerously not directly by their private-sector creators and operators but instead by states themselves for widespread misinformation campaigns that serve political purposes (Nye 2018) .

Since the largest private entities in the tech sector operate in many countries, they are often better poised to implement global changes to the technological ecosystem than individual states or regulatory bodies, creating new challenges to existing governance structures and hierarchies. Just as it can be challenging to provide oversight for government use of technologies, so, too, oversight of the biggest tech companies, which have more resources, reach, and power than many nations, can prove to be a daunting task. The rise of network forms of organization and the growing gig economy have added to these challenges, making it even harder for regulators to fully address the breadth of these companies’ operations (Powell 1990) . The private-public partnerships that have emerged around energy, transportation, medical, and cyber technologies further complicate this picture, blurring the line between the public and private sectors and raising critical questions about the role of each in providing critical infrastructure, health care, and security. How can and should private tech companies operating in these different sectors be governed, and what types of influence do they exert over regulators? How feasible are different policy proposals aimed at technological innovation, and what potential unintended consequences might they have?

Conflict between countries has also spilled over significantly into the private sector in recent years, most notably in the case of tensions between the United States and China over which technologies developed in each country will be permitted by the other and which will be purchased by other customers, outside those two countries. Countries competing to develop the best technology is not a new phenomenon, but the current conflicts have major international ramifications and will influence the infrastructure that is installed and used around the world for years to come. Untangling the different factors that feed into these tussles as well as whom they benefit and whom they leave at a disadvantage is crucial for understanding how governments can most effectively foster technological innovation and invention domestically as well as the global consequences of those efforts. As much of the world is forced to choose between buying technology from the United States or from China, how should we understand the long-term impacts of those choices and the options available to people in countries without robust domestic tech industries? Does the global spread of technologies help fuel further innovation in countries with smaller tech markets, or does it reinforce the dominance of the states that are already most prominent in this sector? How can research universities maintain global collaborations and research communities in light of these national competitions, and what role does government research and development spending play in fostering innovation within its own borders and worldwide? How should intellectual property protections evolve to meet the demands of the technology industry, and how can those protections be enforced globally?

These conflicts between countries sometimes appear to challenge the feasibility of truly global technologies and networks that operate across all countries through standardized protocols and design features. Organizations like the International Organization for Standardization, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and many others have tried to harmonize these policies and protocols across different countries for years, but have met with limited success when it comes to resolving the issues of greatest tension and disagreement among nations. For technology to operate in a global environment, there is a need for a much greater degree of coordination among countries and the development of common standards and norms, but governments continue to struggle to agree not just on those norms themselves but even the appropriate venue and processes for developing them. Without greater global cooperation, is it possible to maintain a global network like the internet or to promote the spread of new technologies around the world to address challenges of sustainability? What might help incentivize that cooperation moving forward, and what could new structures and process for governance of global technologies look like? Why has the tech industry’s self-regulation culture persisted? Do the same traditional drivers for public policy, such as politics of harmonization and path dependency in policy-making, still sufficiently explain policy outcomes in this space? As new technologies and their applications spread across the globe in uneven ways, how and when do they create forces of change from unexpected places?

These are some of the questions that we hope to address in the Technology and Global Change section through articles that tackle new dimensions of the global landscape of designing, developing, deploying, and assessing new technologies to address major challenges the world faces. Understanding these processes requires synthesizing knowledge from a range of different fields, including sociology, political science, economics, and history, as well as technical fields such as engineering, climate science, and computer science. A crucial part of understanding how technology has created global change and, in turn, how global changes have influenced the development of new technologies is understanding the technologies themselves in all their richness and complexity—how they work, the limits of what they can do, what they were designed to do, how they are actually used. Just as technologies themselves are becoming more complicated, so are their embeddings and relationships to the larger social, political, and legal contexts in which they exist. Scholars across all disciplines are encouraged to join us in untangling those complexities.

Josephine Wolff is an associate professor of cybersecurity policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Her book You’ll See This Message When It Is Too Late: The Legal and Economic Aftermath of Cybersecurity Breaches was published by MIT Press in 2018.

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Kate Billingsley

introduction

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. Technology is a tool that can be used to solve real-world problems. The field of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) “seeks to promote cross-disciplinary integration, civic engagement, and critical thinking” of concepts in the worlds of science and technology ( Harvard University, n.d.). As an aspect of everyday life, technology is continuously evolving to ensure that humanity can be productive, efficient, and follow the path of globalization . STS is a concept that encompasses countless fields of study. “Scientists, engineers, and medical professionals swim (as they must) in the details of their technical work: experiments, inventions, treatments and cures. “promotes cross-disciplinary integration, civic engagement, and critical thinking” It’s an intense and necessary focus” ( Stanford University , n.d.). On the opposite side of the spectrum is STS, which “draws attention to the water: the social, political, legal, economic, and cultural environment that shapes research and invention, supports or inhibits it — and is in turn shaped by evolving science and technology” ( Stanford University , n.d.). Technology is a crucial part of life that is constantly developing to fit the changing needs of society and aiding humanity in simplifying the demands of everyday life.

According to Oberdan (2010), science and technology share identical goals. “At first glance, they seem to provide a deep and thorough going division between the two but, as the discussion progresses, it will become clear that there are, indeed, areas of overlap, too” (Oberdan, 25). Philosophers believe that for a claim to be considered knowledge, it must first be justified, like a hypothesis, and true.  Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, Galileo Galilei , was incredibly familiar with the obstacles involved with proving something to be a fact or a theory within the scientific world. Galileo was condemned by the Roman Catholic church for his beliefs that contradicted existing church doctrine (Coyne, 2013). Galileo’s discoveries, although denounced by the church were incredibly innovative and progressive for their time, and are still seen as the basis for modern astronomy today. Nearly 300 years later, Galileo was eventually forgiven by the church, and to this day he is seen as one of the most well known and influential astronomers of all time. Many new innovations and ideas often receive push back before becoming revolutionary and universal practices.

INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY

Flash forward to modern time where we can see that innovation is happening even more around us. Look no further than what could be considered the culmination of modern technological innovation: the mobile phone. Cell phone technology has developed exponentially since the invention of the first mobile phone in 1973 ( Seward , 2013). Although there was a period for roughly 20 years in which cell phones were seen as unnecessary and somewhat impractical, as society’s needs changed and developed in the late 1990s, there was a large spike in consumer purchases of mobile phones. Now, cell phones are an entity that can be seen virtually anywhere, which is in large part due to their practicality. Cell phones, specifically smartphones such as Apple’s iPhone , have changed the way society uses technology. Smartphone technology has eliminated the need for people to have a separate cell phone, MP3 player, GPS, mobile video gaming systems, and more. Consumers may fail to realize how many aspects of modern technological advancement are involved in the use of their mobile phones. Cell phones use wifi to browse the internet, use google, access social media, and more. Although these technologies are beneficial, they also allow consumers locations to be traced and phone conversations to be recorded. Modern cell phone technologies collect data on consumers, and many people are unsure how this information is being used. Additionally, mobile phones come equipped with virus protection which brings the field of cybersecurity into smartphone usage. The technological advances that have been made in the market for mobile phones have been targeted towards the changing needs of consumers and society. As proven by the rise in cell phones, with advancements in the field of STS comes new unforeseen obstacles and ethical dilemmas.

​Technology is changing the way we live in this world. Innovations in the scientific world are becoming increasingly more advanced to help conserve earth’s resources and aid in the reduction of pollutants . Transportation is a field that has changed greatly in recent years due to modernization in science and technology, as well as an increased awareness of environmental concerns. The transportation industry continues to be a large producer of pollution

due to emissions from cars, trains, and other modes of transportation. As a result, cars have changed a great deal in recent years. A frontrunner in creating environmentally friendly luxury cars is Tesla, lead by CEO Elon Musk. Although nearly every brand of car has an electric option that either runs completely gas free, or uses significantly less fuel than standard cars, Tesla has taken this one step further and created a zero emissions vehicle. However, some believe that Tesla has taken their innovations in the transportation market a bit too far, specifically with their release of driverless cars.

“The recent reset of expectations on driverless cars is a leading indicator for other types of AI-enabled systems as well,” says David A. Mindell,  professor of aeronautics and astronautics, and the Dibner Professor of the History of Engineering and Manufacturing at MIT. “These technologies hold great promise, but it takes time to understand the optimal combination of people and machines. And the timing of adoption is crucial for understanding the impact on workers” ( Dizikes , 2019).

As the earth becomes more and more polluted, consumers are seeking to find new ways to cut down on their negative impacts on the earth. Eco-friendly cars are a simple yet effective way in which consumers can cut back on their pollution within their everyday lives.

THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The way in which energy is generated has changed greatly to benefit consumers and the environment. Energy production has followed a rather linear path over time, and is a prime example of how new innovations stem from old technologies. In the early 1800s, the steam engine acted as the main form of creating energy. It wasn’t until the mid-late 1800s that the combustion engine was invented. This invention was beneficial because it was more efficient than its predecessor, and became a form of energy that was streamlined to be used in countless applications. As time has progressed, this linear path of innovation has continued. As new energy creating technologies have emerged, machinery that was once seen as efficient and effective have been phased out. Today, largely due to the increased demand for clean energy sources, the linear path has split and consumers are faced with numerous options for clean, environmentally friendly energy sources. Over time, scientists and engineers have come to realize that these forms of energy pollute and damage the earth. Solar power, a modern form of clean energy, was once seen as an expensive and impractical way of turning the sun’s energy into usable energy. Now, it is common to see newly built homes with solar panels already built in. Since technology develops to fit the needs of society, scientists have worked to improve solar panels to make them cheaper and easier to access. A total of 173,000 terawatts (trillions of watts) of solar energy strikes the Earth continuously, which is more than 10,000 times of the world’s total energy use ( Chandler , 2011). This information may seem staggering, but is crucial in understanding the importance, as well as the large influence that modern forms of energy can have on society.

Technology has become a crucial part of our society. Without technological advancements, so much of our everyday lives would be drastically different. As technology develops, it strives to fulfill the changing needs of society. Technology progresses as society evolves. That being said, progress comes at a price. This price is different for each person, and varies based on how much people value technological and scientific advancements in their own lives. Thomas Parke Hughes’s Networks of Power “compared how electric power systems developed in America, England, and Germany, showing that they required not only electrical but social ‘engineering’ to create the necessary legal frameworks, financing, standards, political support, and organizational designs” ( Stanford University ). In other words, the scientific invention and production of a new technology does not ensure its success. Technology’s success is highly dependent on society’s acceptance or rejection of a product, as well as whether or not any path dependence is involved. Changing technologies benefit consumers in countless aspects of their lives including in the workforce, in communications, in the use of natural resources, and so much more. These innovations across numerous different markets aid society by making it easier to complete certain tasks. Innovation will never end; rather, it will continue to develop at increasing rates as science and technological fields becomes more and more cutting edge.

Chapter Questions

• True or False: Improvements in science and technology always benefit society
• Multiple Choice : Technology is: A.   The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry B.  Tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems C.   Something that does not change D.   Both A and B
• Short Answer: Discuss ways in which technological progression over time is related and how this relationship has led to the creation of new innovation.

Chandler, D. (2011). Shining brightly: Vast amounts of solar energy radiate to the Earth constantly, but tapping that energy cost-effectively remains a challenge.  MIT News. http://news.mit.edu/2011/energy-scale-part3-1026 

Coyne, SJ, G. V. (2013). Science meets biblical exegesis in the Galileo affair.  Zygon® ,  48 (1), 221-229. https://doi-org.libproxy.clemson.edu/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2012.01324.x 

Dizikes, P., & MIT News Office. (2019). MIT report examines how to make technology work for society. http://news.mit.edu/2019/work-future-report-technology-jobs-society-0904

Florez, D., García-Duque, C. E., & Osorio, J. C. (2019). Is technology (still) applied science? Technology in Society.  Technology in Society, 59.   doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101193

Groce, J. E., Farrelly, M. A., Jorgensen, B. S., & Cook, C. N. (2019). Using social‐network research to improve outcomes in natural resource management. Conservation biology , 33 (1), 53-65. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/cobi.13127

Harvard University. (n.d.) What is STS? .  http://sts.hks.harvard.edu/about/whatissts.html .

Union of Concerned Scientists. (2018). How Do Battery Electric Cars Work?   https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/how-do-battery-electric-cars-work .

Oberdan, T. (2010). Science, Technology, and the Texture of Our Lives. Tavenner Publishing Company.

Seward, Z. M. (2013). The First Mobile Phone Call Was Made 40 Years Ago Today . The Atlantic.   https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/04/the-first- mobile-phone-call-was-made-40-years-ago-today/274611/ .

Stanford University. (n.d.). What is the Study of STS? . https://sts.stanford.edu/about/what-study-sts .

Wei, R., & Lo, V.-H. (2006). Staying connected while on the move: Cell phone use and social connectedness. New Media & Society, 8 (1), 53–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444806059870

Winston, B. (2006). Media Technology and Society: A History From the Telegraph to the Internet . London: Routledge.

Images & Videos

“Tesla Model 3 Monaco” is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Building bridges between science and society for a better future. | Nadine Bongaerts | TEDxSaclay

“Tesla Model 3 Monaco”  is licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

To the extent possible under law, Kate Billingsley has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to Science, Technology, & Society: A Student-Led Exploration , except where otherwise noted.

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Introduction Paragraph for Technology Essay: Effective Guide

Table of Contents

The introduction is an integral part of any essay and an excellent opportunity to impact your reader. It sets the tone for the argument and gives the reader an insight into the topic. A good  introduction of essay about technology  comprises three main parts.

The hook grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to read on. Background presents more details on the topic, and the thesis statement summarizes the essay’s central focus. 

The introduction can be challenging to write, but with some guidance, anyone can master the art of writing a compelling introduction. This guide discusses how to write an effective introductory paragraph for a technology essay.

What is A Technology Essay?

Technology has a significant impact on our society. Its numerous benefits have become a vital part of our life. It has improved and is still improving the efficiency of medicine, transportation, education, entertainment, and more. Technology also impacts social interaction; you can easily find lost friends on social networks. 

A technology essay discusses a technological phenomenon or technological advancement. It could also discuss a personal experience related to a technological issue. Depending on your professor’s instructions, a technology essay could be argumentative, informative, persuasive, or otherwise.

How to Write An Introduction Paragraph For Technology Essay

Like other essays, a technology essay comprises three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction provides the reader with an overview of the argument you’ll develop in the body of your essay.

Body of the paper is where you discuss the details of the argument. The conclusion represents the logical ending you reach regarding the idea presented in the essay’s body.

The introduction paragraph of a technology essay should provide context for the technological trends you address and the argument you develop. It should include a hook that will pull the reader in and keep him/her interested.

Here’s how to write a good introduction paragraph .

1. Hook the reader

The essay’s opening sentence sets the tone for the entire piece; it should intrigue the readers and pull them in. Begin with a hook that will grab the reader’s attention, hold their interest and make them want to read the rest of your work.

The hook should be exciting and lead the reader into the essay, giving them an idea of the topic you’re writing about. It should also be clear, catchy, and concise and spark the reader’s curiosity. Here’s how you can grab the attention of your audience.

• Present a shocking statistic or fact.
• Offer an anecdote or a relevant example.
• Ask a thoughtful rhetorical question.

2. Create Context and Provide Background

Now that you have the reader’s attention, provide details on your topic. The next two to three sentences you make should explain how the hook connects to the rest of the essay.

Provide necessary background information to help the readers better understand your argument and the points you intend to make. If you include key terms that may be wrongly interpreted, let your readers know what the term means in your essay.

3. Present Your Thesis

A thesis is the pivot point of your paper, and the single most important idea that you convey in your work. Present the main points you intend to make throughout your essay.

Provide your readers with a roadmap of what you’ll cover in the rest of the paper to support your thesis statement. The last sentence of your introduction should allow smooth transition into the body of the essay.

Introduction of Essay About Technology

Technology has made our lives more comfortable. The products we use, our lifestyle, and our society are products of technology. Without technological advancements, the world would be different and most likely unrecognizable to us. Today, technology extends to every part of our life. Experts, business entrepreneurs, and non-professionals use technology to expand their livelihoods. However, with the good comes bad. Technology, quite frankly, harms society. Pollution, cybercrime, and war are only a few of the effects of technology on society. But does the good outweigh the bad? 

Technology has impacted modern life immensely. It has drastically changed our world. We now travel in planes and cars and have better health facilities and education. We also have ways to communicate with people worldwide in seconds. However, these increased levels of technology did not come about by accident. It resulted from planned and systematic research by a group of people. 

Technology is giving us a new shape. We’ve made more progress in the last 200 years than in the previous 20000 years. Earth has become a global village where most countries and people can connect through the internet, but it has some deadly consequences. Many countries have nuclear weapons, global warming and growing Co2 emissions threaten the existence of the whole population.

With the advent of technology, we are making such amazing developments that couldn’t even be imagined 100 or 200 years ago. We’ve found cures for deadly diseases, we’re constantly working on education, and most people have freedom to express themselves. Science has made huge leaps, but at the same time new diseases, deadlier than before, kill millions of people every year.

Technology is the application of information for building and developing devices and equipment that can be used in diverse ways. We live a very active day-to-day life with technology today. While technology has done a lot to make life easier for everyone, it has also had a few adverse effects that can’t be ignored. Here’s a look at how technology has affected our lives and how we can balance it to overcome it.

Example 6 

Technology has changed society drastically. Before modern technology came along, life was too hard, and everyday chores took up a lot of time. We’re getting many opportunities out of technologies that play a significant role in our lives. Access to medicine, education, industry, and transportation is easier. Our lives have changed dramatically. 

A technology essay can be tricky to write, but a good essay introduction paragraph is key to the successful execution of your topic .

The introduction to a technology essay must be clear, concise, and persuasive to draw the reader in. It should establish the topic and provide as much detail as possible to help readers understand and empathize with the topic. This guide on introduction of essay about technology would help you write a gripping essay introduction.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Impact of technology in politics

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This document looks at the impact of technology on public life at large. It talks about a lot of advancement made in the field of technology. It looks at the impact it has made on public life. How it has changed things for better or worse for the human life. The technology has created a lot of telecommunication changes. Telecommunication in itself has brought in a lot of changes to human life. Using telecommunication as a base, when researchers and scientists have moved further in terms of mobile phones, network connections, computers the aspect of life has completely changed. Internet has been the biggest game changer of it all. It has provided huge business opportunities to people, setting up internet, using it to increase your business sphere. Using internet at home has been another major creation of this all. All this has impacted life in a very huge manner. All aspects of life from social, business, medical, automobile to general entertainment has changed. It has created a new sphere of life itself pretty different to the one that we were used to. Humans are trying to adapt to the changes. But at some places it has left a gaping hole.

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• Essay on Leadership

Sample Essay On Technology And Politics

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Leadership , Health , Innovation , Politics , Vehicles , Technology , Development , World

Words: 2500

Published: 03/20/2020

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Technology could be defined as the ability to use scientific knowledge acquired for the purposes of communication, solving problems, to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, design and create information to improve learning in all areas of the everyday activities of the world. The scientific knowledge could be acquired through practicing or theoretical learning processes. The application of the knowledge gained by either process could be helpful in the development of the degradation of life's processes depending on how it is applied by different people. Technology is as a result of creativity and innovation. Learners must be creative thinkers and be innovative in order to gain technological knowledge. Politics, on the other hand, could be defined as a work of art or science that is concerned with the governance structures more so with a specified geographical area as a nation, village or county. Politics, therefore, has a more direct influence on the lives of the population of a given state or country. The policies that the government would adopt in fostering their development would largely be dependent on the political structures of that country. The education systems must also be convincing to the political class of the state for them to be accepted into the lives of the citizens. Every aspect of the country's progress in any given field would, consequently, be dependent upon the way in which they appealed to the political class. Technology and politics would, therefore, be two disciplines that would be deeply intertwined. Technology to a larger extent would be more dependent on the way the political class would approach technological issues. If any meaningful technological advances were t be realized in a country, it would, be significant for the proponents of the technological developments to engage the political class in a constructive dialogue. That would be aimed at embracing technology as a modern way of achieving faster developments in any front. This paper would, therefore, look at the relationship between technology and politics, more so how technology has affected African politics in general. Since the concept of civilization was coined and widely circulated, the world has witnessed some rapid developments on the technological front. Several sophisticated machines and other scientific inventions have been introduced in the modern world that could only be described as fantastic. I say wonderful because of the things that these machines have done to influence our lives. Some people would even wonder how the world that we live in today would be without technology. Several inventions and practices have been adopted that have shaped the world to be what it is today. Politics too has played a role in shaping technology to be the way it is today. The political leadership was never left behind in the adoption of new technological trends that would forever have an influence in the life of their citizens. It is a well-known fact that the colonization of the continent of Africa brought with it civilization to the mainland. The effects of migration, therefore, brought with it several advantages to the lifestyles of the ordinary Africans if the disadvantages were to be overlooked in this article. The advent of technology in Africa could be traced back to the colonial days. Political leadership organization too could also have taken shape from the colonial masters. Going back to the colonial days, the colonial rulers brought with them several items that the African cultures soon adopted as a way of life. The invention of the radio, for example, was a colonial strategy to conquer and rule the continent of Africa. It was a technological means that enabled the colonialists to communicate effectively and efficiently thereby allowing the colonial masters to gain new ground in the continent and could still be in touch with their homeland. The radio as a tool for communication also enabled the colonialists to share their experiences on how they could conquer and control the continent of Africa. The radio was also an effective tool for spreading false messages across the continent to make Africans believe that the colonialists were only interested in the development of Africa as the continent. That was aimed at softening their hearts so that they could warmly welcome the colonialists. The radio, therefore, enabled the political leadership of the colonial masters to consolidate their positions and be more organized in their approach to achieve their objective. That was to put the continent of Africa under their control. Fast forward to the post-colonial Africa, a radio, even though it has advanced technologically and had a better performance as compared to the colonial times, is still found in Africa. The African leadership has considered it a strategic tool not only for its variety of options, but also to communicate to their citizenry. The radio, today is used as a means of selling policies in the whole world when different political ideologies are competing for political power. The entrenched African political leadership too would still use the radio to spread propaganda messages to their citizenry to help them achieve self-benefiting ends. Consequently, it would be summarized that indeed, technology and politics are interrelated in the African context. The invention of means of transport would also be a remarkable breakthrough in the advancement of technology. If it were not for the invention of means of transportation, the planet earth could still have been far behind in technological advancements. The technological devices of the transport system enables one to move from one place to another with lots of speeds thereby saving the time one would have taken while using slower means of transport. It has enabled the citizenry as well as the political leaders to traverse the world efficiently in search of better living conditions either for themselves or for the benefit of the larger population. Today, politicians, in Africa included using the technological inventions of the transport sector to move from one place to another in an effort to consolidate their political control of the economies of their countries. Several technological advancements have been seen in this field that has enhanced both the speed and accuracy at which these means move. The invention of the airspace vessels like jets and choppers has only added to the excitement in this sector. These two ships in particular have enabled the political class to move from one place to another more so during political debates for political control of the country. Choppers, unlike bigger airbuses, have the potential to land anywhere so long as there would be some adequate space. This technological invention has greatly helped the modern day political leadership while looking to consolidate their support for policy formulation by their citizenry. It is without a shadow of doubt that the technological advancement has been the greatest boost to political leadership throughout the world. In the context of the African political establishment, the technical inventions in the transport sector have been a major boost to furthering their political agenda across the divide in political struggles. Another modern day technological invention that has also impacted positively with the political class was the design of audio visual machines. Technological inventions have enabled man to record, transmit and save for future purposes events that are happening in the modern world through audio visual machines. The designs of machines like video recorders, the television sets, digital cameras and other electronic gadgets that could transmit images from on part o another had some impact on the political establishment. For example, it is now possible for a political leader to address a political gathering from one end of the country, and technology has allowed for live transmission of that meeting to the rest of the world. This way, technology has greatly favored the ruling political class. The involvement of the political leadership in every aspect of the nation would not only be an imagination. But it would also be real as events across the country would be transmitted to the national audience thanks to the invention of technology. The engagement of technological advancements by the political leadership especially in Africa has so far worked for the benefit of the two sectors. Whereas the political class enjoys the advantages that come with the advance in technology, the technological companies enjoy the financial benefits that come with the application of the technical machines. Other than audiovisual developments, the advancements in telephony have also been a welcome invention to the African political leadership. The most appreciable design in this aspect was that of mobile phones. Just like the name suggests, mobile phones have enabled the political class to participate in the nation building in real time. As opposed to traditional means of information exchange, the policy classes have been able to communicate and share information with other development partners without having to necessarily commute to go and exchange ideas. This development has also enabled the local citizenry to exchange developmental ideas with the political class whenever they feel like as these devices allow them to communicate in real time. The continued advancements in the development of the mobile telephony have also opened new avenues for public participation in national affairs in the modern world. The new age mobile phones have applications that enable people to share and receive audio as well as video links. This improvement has also kind of opened up the democratic space for the citizens. As opposed to traditional methods, the new age systems of communication have given the population a leeway in interacting with the political leadership at different levels that have always worked to foster national unity and development. The technological advances in the communications industry I would say, have served better the citizens as it has served more options to the political class by means of interacting with the residents. It has fastened and made simpler the delivery of political messages that have the direct impact on the lives of the ordinary citizens. Alternative aspect that technology greatly revolutionized was the healthcare sector. The effects of technology on the healthcare sector had bigger changes to the African traditional settings and to a greater extent the management of political policies regarding health care provision. Like we mentioned earlier, the political influence on the peoples' cultures and practices were one aspect that could not be wished away with ease. In reality, politics shaped the lives of the ordinary citizens who might not have to necessarily participate in political contests. The technological inventions in the health care have been one aspect that has had the greater impact on the lives of the ordinary citizens. Before the era of colonialism, Africa relied on traditional medicine in the cure of diseases. The mastered the herbs so much that they could never imagine a future without the herbal medicine. When the colonialists came, education came along with them. People advanced in research and with the advancements in the technological inventions, better medicine that was nicely packed was found for the cure of many diseases as opposed to the traditional hers that were indigenously used. Further research also enabled the modification of machines that could test and detect diseases in the human body. Not only did the machines detect diseases, but research also provided for a mechanism for countering these conditions thereby eradicating them from the human body. Nothing could have lightened up the spirits of the political class than that of technological breakthroughs in the healthcare sector. The political leadership needed a healthy population to control. The achievements attained in the health sector meant that the population could no longer be a diseased lot, thanks to technology. Several lifesaving machines have since been developed through technological advancements. Technical machines like life support machine have been invented and have had a greater impact on the average population. These could only come as good news to the politicians as they would be able to gamble in their campaigns to bring state of the art machines to improve the quality of life for the electorates. The achievements of technology in the healthcare sector have only served to lighten up the spirits of the political elite. The belief in technology by the political class could only prove how important technology would be to politics and how much the technicians would also need politicians to advance their technical skills in the development of state of the art machines. The improvement in tools that were used in the African culture has also taken new technological twists that have had forbearing on the national right of the citizens, as well as the political class. The traditional tools that were used in the traditional African culture to help in their daily activities were overtaken by technology. For example, today, there are tractors that could be used in tilling large parcels of farms at the expense of the traditional homes that were regarded as useful back then. This technological improvement could not be any good news to any class of the society like the political class. In their campaigns for political leadership, the politicians have always promised to look for modern ways of making the lives of the ordinary citizens better. There would be no better way to achieve this than to embrace technology. Consequently, as opposed to traditional farming methods where a lot of energies was expended, modern technological techniques have been adopted by the political leadership to help reduce labor output and maximize agricultural inputs. The advantages of these technological advances in the agricultural sector have only served to tighten the bonds between the political class and the ordinary citizens. The developments in technology that have been embraced by the political class have so far worked for the benefits of the local citizens.In conclusion, in as much as technology and politics are two diverse areas of concentration, we have successfully demonstrated in this paper that the two could actually go together. That could be more visible in the African context. The African culture like it was back in the day before civilization was considered as backward. With the advent of technology, new techniques of doing things have been embraced thanks to technological intervention. The technological developments like we have demonstrated needed goodwill from the political class in order to take root in the country. Political goodwill, though, comes with the extra package of adding value to the profile of the political class. The political class, therefore, would need the technology in order to advance their political interests and achieve their political dreams. Technology, on the other hand would need the goodwill of the political class in order to showcase their technical skills aimed at improving the technological aspect of the society. It is my submission, therefore, that technology and politics could be directly or indirectly interrelated more so in the African politics.

Bibliography

Bruijn, Mirjam de, Francis B. Nyamnjoh, and Inge Brinkman. Mobile Phones: The New Talking Drums of Everyday Africa. Bamenda, Cameroon: Langaa, 2009. Nwokeafor, Cosmas U., and Kehbuma Langmia. Media and Technology in Emerging African Democracies. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2010.

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Protecting Confidentiality in the Digital Ecosystem of Humanitarian Aid

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Main Article Content

Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash

INTRODUCTION

Social media, news headlines, and podcasts implicitly and explicitly remind us of the digital misinformation maelstrom we navigate every day to understand the truth of current events. Misinformation feeds off the topics that impact our lives and draw our attention – war, health, politics, identity, fear, and empathy. Misinformation has a digital reach faster and wider than true information based on its nature of novelty and emotional instigation. [1] It draws from data leakages, twists the truth, incites emotional responses, and can undermine real efforts to protect and aid vulnerable communities. Many of the places and events targeted by misinformation are sites of humanitarian crises such as Gaza, Yamen, and Ukraine among many others. Humanitarian groups conceived to provide relief to vulnerable communities are susceptible to personal harm and impeded aid because the organizational structure is not equipped for misinformation and data security breaches. While propaganda and misinformation did not emerge in the contemporary, their scope, speed, and impact have exponentially increased as the world’s use of digital media for communication developed. The current state of misinformation and data leakages are threats to humanitarian efforts, especially the vital and nuanced task of humanitarian medical aid that now simultaneously relies on the digital information ecosystem.

Humanitarian efforts center on the four main principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. The United Nations Refugee Agency specifies that ‘humanity’ refers to addressing human suffering wherever it is found to ensure health and respect, ‘neutrality’ is to not engage in political, racial, religious, or ideological controversies, ‘impartiality’ is to provide aid based on need alone without bias and priority, and ‘operational independence’ is to conduct aid autonomous from agendas or actors in sectors such as political, economic, or military. [2] Medecins Sans Frontieres explicitly states neutrality, impartiality, independence, bearing witness, and accountability in their code of principles. Their statement on medical ethics is much more vague. It aims to “carry out our work with respect for the rules of medical ethics, in particular the duty to provide care without causing harm to individuals or groups. We respect patients’ autonomy, patient confidentiality, and their right to informed consent.” [3] Confidentiality is mentioned, but in the nondescript sense that could refer to confidentiality outlined in any number of medical ethics contexts.

Three most commonly referred to ethical codes in Western medicine are the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report, and the Code of the American Medical Association (AMA). The Declaration of Helsinki places confidentiality in the context of research and was written pre-digital age in the 1960s. [4] The Belmont Report does not mention confidentiality or patient privacy in its summation of medical ethics from 1978. [5] Lastly, the AMA’s Code of Medical Principles upholds that physicians “shall respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences and privacy within the constraints of the law.” [6] This AMA principle was adopted in 1957 and revised in 2001, still before the onset of widely accessible digital media. These three medical ethics codes are the standard of Western medicine, and yet they are decades obsolete when facing the harm of digital misinformation and data leakages. Humanitarian aid organizations cannot afford to rely on outdated medical ethical codes amid digital misinformation and data leakages.

Medical humanitarian relief groups such as Medecins Sans Frontiers, the International Medical Corps, the WHO Global Health and Peace Initiative, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, rely on the medical ethics defined in the aforementioned guides in addition to their humanitarian foundation. These codes, while useful, were written prior to the digital age. And, as our methods of communication, medical delivery, and global action have evolved and digitized, the ethics guiding medical practice should be updated to reflect this dramatic change. Humanitarian medical organizations need the digital ecosystem to store metadata for medical services such as patient history, blood type, metrics on locations in need of aid, missing person searches, and funding. The levels of data vulnerable to misconstruction and hacking exist on the personal and organizational levels. Individual providers and the organizational body should prioritize confidentiality. Thus humanitarian medical ethics should adapt to the reality of the digital age to not endanger the populations receiving aid and to not propagate harm.

Misinformation and data leakage can lead to microtargeting, defamation, provider endangerment, and other harms preventing medical service. The European Data Protection Supervisor details how the personal information collected by organizations, such as medical, can be stolen or misconstrued to affect microtargeting, placing individuals in the direct path of echo chambers, digital tracking, and manipulation. [7] The International Broadcasting Trust released a report in 2018 detailing the extent to which misinformation was impacting the humanitarian aid groups it broadcasts to. [8] For example, the report shared that rumors spread by right-wing political groups in 2017 falsely circulated that humanitarian groups in the Mediterranean were collaborating with child trafficking rings. [9] After causing defamation, the right-wing group sent a boat to block and detain the humanitarian group’s search and rescue boat. This was one incident among many where providers and patients were put in harm’s way through misinformation and the misuse of location data. Other disinformation campaigns can be carried out by governments as well; in Syria and Ukraine, the Russian government has been specifically targeting Red ross and White Helmets. [10] Beneficial medical services cannot be delivered if providers and patients are targeted. In January of 2022, the International Association of the Red Cross was hacked. Approximately 515,000 vulnerable persons’ data was leaked and became inaccessible to the IARC providers. [11] If an organization cannot protect access to its digital ecosystem, humanitarian medical aid efforts can be rendered ineffective.

Additionally, misinformation and breached data cause the less immediate but more widely impactful harm of distrust. Stakeholders and funding sources can withdraw from supporting medical humanitarian aid organizations. Beneficial medical services cannot be offered if there is no monetary backing. Providers and patients also have their own digital devices and means of communication which can lead to sensitive information being shared online or with non-neutral parties. If a patient cannot trust their provider or the organization a provider acts in the name of, medical services can be refused. Beneficial medical service cannot be conducted if the trust of the patient is compromised by humanitarian groups failing to prioritize patient confidentiality. Confidentiality should be prioritized in humanitarian medical aid to safeguard against the extended harms of data leakage, misinformation, and malintent.  

Some critiques may postulate that due to the uniqueness of each community aided by medical humanitarian organizations, over-standardization from rigid ethical codes may occur, that standardization can lead to inflexibility with communities and render aid strategies ineffective. However, the reality is that ethical frameworks make sure that individual actors are not monolithic – they allow for collaboration and joint work. The WHO Global Health and Peace Initiative’s recent adoption of conflict sensitivity, along with other organizations’ additions of similar language, ensure that there is a feedback loop incorporated into the ethical code to mitigate unintended harm. Thus, ethical codes are helping providers to respond in unprecedented situations with consciousness to harm propagation. In events of limited time and of crisis, comprehensive ethical codes are especially beneficial because we rely on habits and pre-established information banks.

Humanitarian medical ethics should include a specific guide for confidentiality. Without forethought and the integration of traditional and digital confidentiality as a main tenant, medical humanitarian organizations will continue to act retrospectively. Trust in stakeholder-provider-patient relationships will continue to disintegrate. The current status quo of medical ethics in the humanitarian aid sector poses multiple risks for providers and patients whereas adopting stronger confidentiality language is a tangible step towards the protection of vulnerable communities from the harms of digital misinformation and data leakage.

[1] Vosoughi, Soroush, Deb Roy, and Sinan Aral. “The Spread of True and False News Online.” Science 359, no. 6380 (2018): 1146–51. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap9559 . 

[2] “Conflict Sensitivity and the Centrality of Protection.” The Global Portection Cluster , March 2022. https://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/220318_gpc_-_conflict_sens.pdf . 

[3] “Our Charter and Principles.” MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES - MIDDLE EAST. Accessed December 24, 2023. https://www.msf-me.org/about-us/principles/our-charter-and-principles#:~:text=We%20give%20priority%20to%20those,of%20governments%20or%20warring%20parties.&text=The%20principles%20of%20impartiality%20and%20neutrality%20are%20not%20synonymous%20with%20silence . 

[4] “WMA - The World Medical Association-WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects.” The World Medical Association. Accessed December 24, 2023. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/ .

[5] Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). “ The Belmont Report.” United States Department of Health and Human Services , September 27, 2022. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/read-the-belmont-report/index.html .

[6] American Medical Association . “The Code .” AMA principles of Medical Ethics. Accessed December 24, 2023. https://code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org/principles .

[7] “EDPS Opinion on Online Manipulation and Personal Data .” European Data Protection Supervisor. Accessed December 24, 2023. https://edps.europa.eu/sites/edp/files/publication/18-03-19_online_manipulation_en.pdf . 

[8] Robin. “Faking It: Fake News and How It Impacts on the Charity Sector.” International Broadcasting Trust, March 13, 2020. https://www.ibt.org.uk/reports/faking-it/ . 

[9] Reed, B. “Charities Colluding with Traffickers? Fake News.” The Guardian, February 15, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/15/charities-aid-agencies-fake-news-says-report . 

[10] Sant, Shannon Van. “Russian Propaganda Is Targeting Aid Workers.” Foreign Policy, August 1, 2022. https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/08/01/russia-disinformation-ukraine-syria-humanitarian-aid-workers/ .

[11] International Committee of the Red Cross. “Hacking the Data of the World’s Most Vulnerable Is an Outrage.” International Committee of the Red Cross, October 27, 2022. https://www.icrc.org/en/document/hacking-data-outrage .  

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Impact of Technology on Society Essay (Critical Writing)

Technology advances date back to the Stone Age. Through the centuries, technology has evolved in this era of civilization and modernization. This has had advantages as it has led to today’s civilization and development. The technology considered useful but has its own setbacks. Neil Postman is a technology critic.

Technology has many evident benefits and society has unquestioningly embraced it. Postman’s intellectual target which is to illustrate how technopoly redefines culture is illustrated in his book, “Technopoly: The surrender of Culture to Technology” Therefore, this essay presents a critical analysis on the impact of technology on society through Postman’s eye.

Postman argues that uncontrolled advances in technology destroy important sources of humanity. He states that this could lead to losing morality and changes in our ideologies. Technology takes superiority over humanity because of its efficiency. The rise of control systems that manage information such as statistics are based on the fallacy that information can be scientifically measured and stored. Technology cannot be blamed because humans are the ones to be blamed in case of a mishap due to technology. This puts pressure on humanity and gives superiority to technology (Postman, 1993). Postman feels that this puts humanity in a subordinate position to technology.

He addresses the issue of information invasion in his book. Traditionally, information was limited and therefore it was easy to manage it. Information was critically classified such that what was delivered was standard for the age and academic level of a person learning. This way, tradition ensured productive development in children.

On the other hand, technopoly gives children information without limitation. Subsequently, this indiscrimination corrupts and overloads young minds. For example, children have access to information that should be rated on the internet (Postman, 1993). Technopoly has given a solution to this issue by installing software that is able to deny access to specified sites. It is therefore now upon the parents to rate what they think is fit for their children.

Postman argues that technology gives and takes away. He states that the benefits and deficits of technology are not distributed equally. He further states that the hazards that accompany technology overshadow its advantages (Postman, 1993). This is a true observation, as it is clear that every aspect of change has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, with regard to computers, he argues that they have given some members of the community benefits and have resulted in deficits for other members.

He observes that computer put more focus on the technicalities but they have little to offer. Concerning television, he says those who have achieved high paying careers consider it a blessing. According to him, the television also ends schoolteacher’s career (Postman, 1993). Rather than work against the education system, computers are actually promoting academic. A wider range of individuals can now access quality education through online services. Educative programs on televisions also help students better understand their academics (Szoka, 2010).

He argues that some societies are tool-using, some are technocracies and others technopolies. This is a relevant taxonomy as presented in society. He gives strong definitions for what he means by these classes too. In traditional culture, the invention of tools was purposely done to give solutions to specific problems in the community.

The tools invented promoted the dignity and integrity of the specific communities. They were important aspects of the cultural processes as humans were defining their way of living. In contrast, tools work against culture in the technocracy world. Here, the tools govern humanity rather than humanity governing tools (Feist, 2010). This is a threat that Postman feels should be addressed.

Technopoly leads to the disappearance of thought -worlds by making it invisible and irrelevant. It changes the meaning of terms and standards of culture to suit its standards. This keeps away technology from its basis to serve humanity. It takes a higher position such that humans are subject to it. It is supposed to be the means through which humanity gets to the end it has defined in its culture. In contrast, technology has had an upper hand in restructuring culture and therefore humanity becomes a means to realize ends set by technology (Postman, 1993). The omnipotence assumed by technology blurs humanity’s major interests. Technology takes the lead and shapes human lives as humans blindly follow. He thus defines it as totalitarian technocracy (Ibid).

His arguments in his book, particularly in chapter two are true. Their disadvantages depend on one’s standpoint. A society that has the tool-using culture only is primitive and less developed while the society with the technopoly culture it is civilized and developed. Given time, the tool-using one will advance to the technopoly one naturally.

Change is a constant aspect of life and embracing it is a necessity. It is also true that technopoly has made life so much easier and comfortable than it was initially. It has shifted the focus from manual labor to technical labor. This has seen many people ending up jobless. It has also provided easy means of acquiring the technical skills required to fit into technology. Thus, striking a balance between these cultures is all it takes and this can be done at the individual level. Granted, striking a balance is not as easy as there is a lot of pressure from technology (Postman, 1993).

To support this, he further argues that in societies that are technocracies, technology and tradition co-exist in an uneasy tension. This is because the two oppose each other with the technological one being the stronger. The traditional one is still there though and cannot be ignored. Therefore, practices from both cultures are practiced but these may be in conflict with each other. This is the case in most aspects but some traditional cultures may not be in conflict with technology (Postman, 2010).

For example, technological ways of farming are in constant conflict with the traditional ways of farming. Farmers who use traditional farming methods suffer losses because of the availability of advanced farming methods. Therefore, to be safe farmers have to embrace the traditional methods at the expense of the traditional ones.

Technology has led to the disintegration of cultural beliefs paving the way to a new way of life. It makes society find fulfillment and authority in the implementation of technology (Ibid).

Technopoly is viewed as the means by which dilemmas may be solved. Those who believe in technopoly believe that information gives freedom, creativity, and peace of mind. Postman believes that information does the opposite (Postman, 1993).

This is a true observation. On the other hand, technology embraces social sites that help people break communication barriers. This allows people to communicate across continents, defying race, ethnicity and language differences. This is a means of getting exposed to other cultures and raising a culturally diversified generation. Information obtained online also enlightens on the different cultures helping people appreciate each other (Szoka, 2010).

He further says that information needs to be controlled. When there is too much information to sustain any theory, information becomes essentially meaningless. Technopoly increases the availability of information. Too much information is hard to be controlled due to the load put on the control measures. This call for more control machines but need more information as they are more technical.

The overflow of information stresses brains receiving them and threatens psychological peace and social purpose. The information glut leads to the breakdown of a coherent cultural narrative, he argues, for without a meaningful context, information is not only useless but also potentially dangerous. He cites the old saying that, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and therefore, “to a man with a computer, everything looks like data” (Postman, 1993).

The importance given to information and technology’s control over information is the major reason why technopoly has thrived over traditional culture. Technology has weaved a distinct web for passing information. This is in the form of social media like phones, telegrams, and internet and satellite communication. This means that information has become a vital part of humanity.

Technopoly gives technology the power to control the dispersion of information and hence it is able to redefine culture. This has led to confusion of terms like knowledge and information, or reason and familiarity (Postman, 1993). The availability of information may be overwhelming, but it has led to the expansion of people’s way of thinking hence curbing ignorance. Thus, Postman is not justified in crucifying technology on this score.

Another major setback of technology is its effect on the education system. He also addresses the redefinition of information and knowledge. His arguments are well thought and they have strong support. It calls upon the reader to reflect and think critically. This is a habit he believes technology has made irrelevant. He thus calls upon the reader to reconsider the old ways and think of ways technology has helped make the world better.

He agrees with the many benefits of technology and helps expose its loopholes too (Feist, 2010). The education system has actually not suffered as the techno pessimists may want us to believe. Rather it has undergone a major redefinition to give opportunities to both young and old. Quality education is now readily available, thanks to technology (Szoka, 2010).

The defense given by techno-optimists lies in decentralizing, globalizing, harmonizing and empowering. Technopoly encourages the participation of both the experts and the non-experts for example in writing. It encourages diversity of thought and expression as information can be shared globally. It also allows self-actualization and empowerment by providing information.

Through the Internet, masses are able to be educated therefore increasing literacy. Information abundance creates new opportunities for learning. It offers real choices and genuine voices. Connection through social sites helps diversify culture due to globalization. It also promotes international integrity as peace initiatives can be run faster through technology. Granted, technology offers efficiency and quality and that within a short time (Szoka, 2010).

Postman is, therefore, a strong author who handles his writing expertly and conveys his arguments in a way that is understandable to the reader. The simple traditional methods offer peace and tranquility of mind. They offer freedom and strong morals and they were efficient enough. Modernization brings with it slavery of mind and loses morals. On the other hand, development owes its origin to technology. The simple cultural methods are the ones that have advanced this far. Technology advances cannot be regulated as they arise out of necessity. The benefits of technology far outdo its deficits, though, and as Szoka (2010) says, change is inevitable.

Feist, R. Beauvais, C. & Shukla, R. (2010). Technology and the Changing Face of Humanity. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press.

Postman, N. (1993). Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. New York: Vintage Books Publishers.

Szoka, B. Marcus, A. (2010). The Next Digital Decade. New York: TechFreedom Publishers.

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IvyPanda. (2020, May 7). Impact of Technology on Society. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-on-society/

"Impact of Technology on Society." IvyPanda , 7 May 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-on-society/.

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1. IvyPanda . "Impact of Technology on Society." May 7, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-on-society/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Impact of Technology on Society." May 7, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-on-society/.

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Essay on Conclusion About Technology

Students are often asked to write an essay on Conclusion About Technology in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Conclusion About Technology

Understanding technology.

Technology is a broad term that refers to tools, machines, and methods used to solve real-world problems. It has transformed our lives in numerous ways.

Benefits of Technology

Technology has made our lives easier. From communication to transportation, everything has become faster and more efficient. It has also revolutionized education and healthcare.

Drawbacks of Technology

However, technology also has its drawbacks. It can lead to addiction, cyberbullying, and privacy issues. It also contributes to environmental problems.

In conclusion, technology is a double-edged sword. While it provides numerous benefits, it also poses significant challenges. It’s crucial to use technology wisely to fully enjoy its advantages while minimizing its drawbacks.

250 Words Essay on Conclusion About Technology

The paradox of technology.

Technology has been a double-edged sword, bringing about unprecedented advancements while also posing significant challenges. On one hand, it has revolutionized communication, healthcare, education, and industry, thereby enhancing the quality of life. On the other hand, it has led to a surge in cybercrime, privacy issues, and environmental problems.

The Boon of Technology

The benefits of technology are undeniable. It has made information readily accessible, facilitated global connectivity, and has been a catalyst for innovation. The advent of technology in healthcare has improved diagnostic precision and treatment, leading to increased life expectancy. In education, it has democratized knowledge, making learning more interactive and engaging.

The Bane of Technology

However, the darker side of technology cannot be overlooked. The rise of cybercrime, identity theft, and data breaches is directly linked to technological advancements. Furthermore, technology has been a significant contributor to environmental degradation, with electronic waste and energy consumption being major concerns.

Striking a Balance

The key lies in striking a balance between leveraging technology for growth and mitigating its adverse effects. This requires responsible use and ethical considerations in technology development and implementation. Additionally, stringent regulations and policies are necessary to control cybercrime and ensure data privacy.

In conclusion, technology is a powerful tool that can transform societies, but it also harbors potential risks. Harnessing its benefits while minimizing its pitfalls is the challenge that lies ahead. As we navigate this digital era, it is crucial to foster a culture of responsible technology use and continue exploring sustainable technological solutions.

500 Words Essay on Conclusion About Technology

Introduction.

Technology has become an integral part of our lives, shaping our world in countless ways. It has transformed various sectors such as communication, transportation, education, healthcare, and even our social interactions. While technology’s impact is largely positive, it also has its drawbacks, posing several challenges to society.

The Positive Impact of Technology

Technology has brought about significant advancements in various fields. In healthcare, for instance, it has enabled the development of sophisticated medical equipment, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, in education, technology has revolutionized learning through digital platforms, making education more accessible.

In the realm of communication, technology has broken down geographical barriers. The internet, smartphones, and social media platforms have made it possible to connect with people across the globe instantly. This has fostered global collaboration and made the world a global village.

The Negative Impact of Technology

Despite the numerous benefits, technology also has its downsides. It has led to increased screen time, negatively impacting physical health and mental well-being. There’s also the issue of privacy invasion, with personal data often being misused by various entities.

Moreover, technology has led to job displacement in certain sectors due to automation. While it has created new job opportunities, the transition has not been seamless, leading to unemployment and social inequality.

The Role of Ethical Considerations

As technology continues to evolve, ethical considerations become increasingly crucial. There’s a need for responsible use of technology, with policies in place to protect user data and privacy. Additionally, efforts should be made to ensure that technology is accessible to all, reducing the digital divide and promoting social equality.

Sustainable Technology for a Better Future

The future of technology lies in sustainability. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, there’s a growing need for green technology solutions. From renewable energy sources to eco-friendly products, technology has the potential to address environmental issues and promote sustainable living.

In conclusion, technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has brought about significant advancements, making our lives easier and more efficient. On the other, it poses several challenges that need to be addressed. As we move forward, it’s essential to strike a balance, harnessing the benefits of technology while mitigating its negative impacts. By adopting ethical practices and promoting sustainable technology, we can ensure that technology serves as a tool for progress, contributing to a better future for all.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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